General coaching background at WCWAA:
Coaching basketball at WCWAA is a great opportunity to spend time with your son or daughter and build lasting memories.

Our goal as a league is limit the team size to only 7 to 8 players to allow for as much playing time as possible. We may ask for volunteers to assist in coaching so we can continue to maintain this roster size.

The role that a coach can have on a player’s life is significant in youth development. The basketball court offers a place for the child to develop both as an athlete and individual, and lessons learned on the court will be carried throughout life.

Time commitment:
The time commitment is not major with only 1 practice during a week night and a game on Saturdays.

Coaching requirements

The minimum requirements for coaching are to have a basic understanding of the game of basketball and preferably some previous experience with coaching basketball and/or other youth sports.

All coaches must fill out a background check form (located on the main WCWAA page).

The top eight responsibilities as a Coach:

provide a safe physical environment

Ensure the gyms are clear of impediments

Ensure no over-aggressive activity during practice

Know the rules

Ensure playing time rules are enforced

Ensure game rules are enforced

Communicate in a positive way

You are a teacher and a role mode: always communicate positively

Be clear with your expectations to both the players and the parents

Teach the fundamental skills of basketball

Winning is a by-product of skills development

Teach the rules of basketball

Introduce the rules of basketball and follow them in practice

Ensure you know the age appropriate rules of WCWAA and teach them in practice

Direct players in competition

Determine a starting five; ensure the substitution pattern

The focus is not “win at all costs”; rather, it’s compete hard, do their best, improve their skills, and win within the rules

Help your players become fit and value fitness for a lifetime

Do not make sprints or pushups a punitive measure; instead, integrate sprints as part of drills (half court layup drills, strength drills, etc)

Make it fun to get fit for basketball , and make it fun to PLAY basketball so the child continues to play and stay fit

Help the child develop character

Character development includes learning, caring, being honest and respectful, and taking responsibility.

We ask you to teach these values to players by demonstrating and encouraging behaviors that express these values at all times. For example, in teaching good team defense, stress to young players the importance of learning their assignments, helping their teammates, playing within the rules, showing respect for their opponents, and understanding that they are responsible for having a role in every play-even though they may not be recognized individually for their efforts.

Best example: if the other team scores, it’s not “Other team 2, me 0.” It’s Other team 2, my team 0.”